Alaska Hairdresser and Barber Certification Practice Exam

Which term describes hair's ability to withstand chemical treatments?

1. Elasticity

2. Density

3. Porosity

4. Strength

The correct answer is: Strength

The term that accurately describes hair's ability to withstand chemical treatments is strength. Strength refers to the overall resilience and durability of the hair fibers when subjected to various processes, such as coloring, perming, or chemical relaxing. When hair is strong, it can better endure the structural changes that come with chemical applications, which can otherwise lead to damage, breakage, or loss of integrity. Elasticity, while important, specifically refers to the hair's ability to stretch and return to its original shape without breaking. Density pertains to the thickness and number of hair strands on the head rather than their resilience to chemical treatments. Porosity describes how well hair can absorb moisture and products, which is significant for understanding how hair reacts to chemical treatments but does not directly indicate its ability to withstand them.